Wisdom of a Death Metal Band

The death metal band Every Time I Die has some remarkable lyrics about the journey towards discovering ourselves. When looking inside, too often we find that we are parts of a system of injustice, and it feels so much easier not to look…

“All This and War” by Every Time I Die

Stop now before you find yourself
It was perfect just embrace the chill
All the chaos, the loose breaking hell
Is it worth it to unearth yourself?
Just put the mess you won't clean up in your will

While the song may be tongue in cheek, what they sing about is real. This is not an unusual approach.

Listen in to the prophet Jeremiah, speaking words from Yahweh. Note that he’s talking about how there is systemic oppression and yet too many people just whitewash it and pretend everything is fine - and they certainly don’t look inside their own hearts at their own participation.

What stands out to you?

“From the least to the greatest,
    all are greedy for gain;
prophets and priests alike,
    all practice deceit.
14 They dress the wound of my people
    as though it were not serious.
‘Peace, peace,’ they say,
    when there is no peace.
15 Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?
    No, they have no shame at all;
    they do not even know how to blush. - Jeremiah 6:13-15